Turkish referendum took place on uneven playing field - observer mission

Record ID: 645383

  • Title: Turkish referendum took place on uneven playing field - observer mission
  • Date: 17th April 2017
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (APRIL 17, 2017) (REUTERS) MEMBERS OF EUROPE OBSERVER MISSION HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE (PACE) DELEGATION, CEZAR FLORIN PREDA, SAYING: "The 16th April constitutional referendum took place on an unleveled playing field and the two side of the campaign did not have equal opportunities. Voters were not provide with impartial information about key aspect of the reform. And civil society organisation were not able to participate. Under the state of emergency put in place after the July 2016 failed coup attempt, fundamental freedom essential to a generally democratic process were curtailed. The dismissal of detention of thousand of citizen negatively affected the political environment. One side dominates in the coverage and restriction in media, reduces voter access to a priority of views. While the technical aspect of the referendum were well administrated, on referendum they proceeded orderly manner late changes in counting procedures removed an important safe guard and were contested by the opposition. Thank you." ANOTHER OBSERVER SPEAKING
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2017 13:29
  • Keywords: Turkey referendum Erdogan opposition polls OSCE observers
  • Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • City: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016CSEFYF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Turkey's referendum did not live up to standards set by the Council of Europe, a representative from the European human rights organisation's observer mission said on Monday (April 17), citing an inadequate legal framework and late changes in ballot counting.
    Turks on Sunday (April 16) voted by a narrow 51.4 percent margin to change their constitution and grant President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers. The main opposition party has demanded the result be nullified, saying the voting was marred by irregularities.
    Cezar Florin Preda, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that monitored the vote, said the referendum took place on an unlevel playing field and the two sides of the campaign did not have equal opportunities.
    Turkey's High Electoral Board made a last-minute decision on Sunday to count ballots that had not been stamped by officials.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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